A South Carolina man has been arrested after authorities accused him of imprisoning four vulnerable adults in a basement and misusing their finances for personal benefit.
Donnie Birchfield Jr., 35, now faces 16 charges, including multiple counts of false imprisonment and exploitation of a vulnerable adult. His attorney insists that he maintains his innocence.
Why It Matters
The case has drawn wide attention because Birchfield is the son of a well-known local pastor in Lancaster.
What Happened
Police arrested Birchfield on July 25 after responding to a home on Churchill Drive, where a woman was found dead. Investigators also discovered three other adults in the basement of the house.
According to court documents, the people found in the basement included the deceased woman’s husband and two women who reportedly had long-term romantic relationships with Birchfield, some dating back a decade.
Warrants obtained by WBTV allege that Birchfield, acting as the sole caregiver for a man and a woman, denied them food, medical care, and communication, while also preventing them from leaving. He is accused of exploiting their finances, allegedly spending thousands of dollars on their debit and credit cards.
Birchfield is the son of the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Lancaster and reportedly lived at the Churchill Drive residence with his parents, according to the Daily Mail.
His Facebook page shows him as a fan of professional wrestling, with numerous posts of events, memorabilia, and photos alongside wrestlers.
Recently, Birchfield’s sister Gracie and stepmother Wynette shared a Facebook post stating: “Not everything you read or hear—even in the news—is always the full truth.” Wynette’s message received dozens of supportive comments.
The Birchfield family is generally regarded as respected within the community, with social media images showing their involvement in church and local activities. When asked about the allegations, Birchfield Sr. told the Daily Mail: “It’s amazing how things have been twisted in the news. I’d like to tell you more, but I can’t.”
Meanwhile, Terisa Hinson, sister of one of the men found in the basement, told WSOC-TV that her brother weighed only about 70 pounds at the time he was discovered. She said he has a developmental disability but had previously lived independently. Hinson added that her brother and his wife met Birchfield about six years ago when they were facing eviction, and Birchfield offered them a place to stay.
What People Are Saying
Birchfield’s attorney, M. Ryan Payne, told WBTV: “My office is currently investigating this matter. My client maintains his innocence in this case and it is important to remember that he is presumed innocent of these allegations. We look forward to litigating this case in the court system where facts, evidence, and the rule of law matter.”
What’s Next
Birchfield is being held on a $150,000 bond. The Lancaster Police Department told Newsweek that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges may follow.
